This is a story of a pastor,

Who was the father of two boys.

His children were greatly loved by him.

They were his pride and joy.

The two were just a year apart,

And alike in many ways,

Two peas in a pod, and yet they were

As different as night and day.

The older son had a servant’s heart,

And lived obediently.

The younger son was a free spirit,

Who questioned authority.

The older son worked in the church,

Wherever there was a need.

He helped to keep the building clean,

And served in the nursery.

The younger son lived for himself,

And resisted all boundaries.

He was selfish and undisciplined,

And in trouble frequently.

When the younger son reached adulthood,

It came as no surprise,

When he announced he was leaving town,

And cutting all his ties.

The father wasn’t able to

Convince his son to stay.

With tears in his eyes, he watched him leave

For a city far away.

The son completed his journey,

And as soon as he arrived,

He went and found the kind of friends

That only money can buy.

He spent his money on prostitutes.

He spent it on alcohol.

He became addicted to drugs.

He was heading for a fall.

He had no means of income

To pay for his sinful pursuits.

And when his money was gone,

His so-called friends were too.

The life of the younger son

Quickly became unglued.

Soon he was living in the streets,

And begging for his food.

With hunger pains gnawing at him,

And no money left to spend,

He finally came to realize,

What an utter fool he’d been.

As he pondered his situation,

And was feeling all alone,

He thought of his father and wondered,

What was happening back home.

He had no way of knowing

That back in his home church,

The members were praying for him,

Though his father feared the worst.

Day after day his father worried,

And agonized on his own,

Wondering if his younger son,

Would ever be coming home.

One Sunday he preached a message,

On how men are trapped by sin.

He spoke of the Lord’s forgiveness,

And of coming home to him.

He invited people forward,

When the sermon reached its end,

To receive the forgiveness of God,

And to be made whole again.

After he made the invitation,

And waited for a short while,

A solitary figure

Started coming down the aisle.

As this person came closer and closer,

The father was shocked and stunned,

To see that the man approaching,

Was none other than his son.

His younger son was disheveled,

And clearly in bad shape.

He looked considerably older,

And severely underweight.

His father did not wait for him.

He ran from the podium.

He sprinted down the center aisle,

Where he quickly hugged his son.

As the two of them just stood there,

In a warm, loving embrace,

Each member of the audience

Had tears running down his face.

The son pulled back from the father,

And in front of everyone,

He said, “Daddy, I’m so sorry,

For everything I’ve done.”

His father put an arm around him,

And said, “Son, come with me.”

He led him to the front of the church,

For everyone to see.

He declared to the congregation,

“Here’s my beloved son!

We prayed that he’d come home to us,

And on this day he’s come!”

“My son was dead, but is alive,

Was lost, but now is found!

Let’s raise our voices to the Lord,

And make a joyful sound!”

The people responded heartily.

Rejoicing was in the air.

The congregation thanked the Lord

For answering their prayers.

When the cheering finally subsided,

The father announced to all,

That there’d be an impromptu party

Next door in the social hall.

The people headed on over,

Including the younger son.

But the party at the hall was not

Attended by everyone.

The sanctuary had emptied,

In just a matter of time.

And then the father noticed,

That someone had stayed behind.

This person was up near the front,

Sitting with no one.

The father went down and took a seat

Next to his older son.

His son would not look up at him.

So the father asked, “What’s wrong?

We’re celebrating your brother’s return.

Why don’t you come along?”

But the older son was angry,

And wanted to clear the air.

He said, “Father, I don’t understand.”

What you’re doing is not fair.”

“I’ve always been obedient.

I’ve served you faithfully.

And despite all that I’ve done for you,

You’ve never honored me.”

“And yet you praise my brother,

Who’s lived a life of sin.

You acknowledge him before the church,

And throw a party for him.”

His father replied, “Please listen, son.

I love you and I care.

But this is about a life redeemed,

Not what is, or isn’t, fair.”

“We must rejoice because my son

Has turned his life around.

Your brother was dead, but is alive,

Was lost, but now is found!”

The older son was listening

To what his father said.

But he didn’t feel like answering.

He just stared straight ahead.

His father added, “Please think about

All that I’ve said to you.

And then come and join the party,

When you have thought things through.”

The father wasn’t certain

If his words were hitting home.

He quietly stood up and left,

So his son could be alone.

The older son just sat there,

Thinking it all through,

Considering his options,

And wondering what to do.